Exactly. Yes we were poor in the CCSF, but if the big decisions had gone our way then we'd have been heading back to Wembley. In the Playoffs it wasn't the inclusion of Murphy or a poor attacking structure that cost us the game, it was playing dumb rugby when 12-11 up and trying to force a try that we didn't need to score.

This is hypothetical, as in 'what would I do'. In this case I would't have spent the money on Green. I would have felt confident with Smith and Tomkins as starters in the halves with Powell as back up. With this we have other young talent coming through in the halves.



'If' in some fantasy world I was in charge from now I think I'd use Green from the bench. Possibly primary as the interchange 9, which I'm sure he could play, as a back up 6 or 7. I think it's often useful to have a versatile player on the bench incase of injures.

Spot on.



I think Green will be a good player BUT Tomkins could have been a world class one!



A perfect opportunity and money have been wasted here and I think the team will suffer for it.

It's obvious what will happen next year, split halves with Sam linking up in the line. With Smith and Green splitting the pitch. Basically more of the same.

Who plays FB in this scenario though, Murphy? The coaching staff have obviously decided that the team is better off with a completely new HB partnership coming in and keeping Sam at FB, and personally I agree with this. I do also agree with your point that Sam could also be a top class 6, and I think if he stays in RL he'll end up there in a few years time, but for now he needs to stay at 1.

Shaun is vulnerable I feel and it won't be down to how we go in the regular season so much as the C Cup and the GF play offs.

Prior to his appointment IL said Noble not having another contract was due to us not reaching finals. Noble had his limitations but he did take us from being a relegation club to a semi finals. The last piece missing was why he went.

When Shaun was appointed IL said he expected Wigan RL to be winning trophies or at the very least getting to finals. Shaun agreed with all of that and said he expected it of himself as Wigan coach.

So this year we are top of the league but once again a semi finals team.

Dodgy refs decisions were a massive factor in both semis but it doesn't get away from the fact the first 40 mins in both we were abysmal. If we'd have been playing Wire in those semis instead of Leeds we'd have been buried by half time.

How not getting to finals once again will hold with IL remains to be seen.

I hope Shaun is successful as I do like him and I think he's a great deal to offer Wigan RL. IL in bringing in Maguire who in turn brought trophies back to Wigan has raised standards and expectations. Shaun has to fulfil those or he will be vulnerable.

I've stated who I think should play fb.

Correct , in Wigans favour last Friday night .

We were abysmal last week because we weren't allowed to be anything else. Not many sides would have looked good under the pressure that Leeds put us under both from their superb kicking game and line speed. Prior to the Watkins breakaway try we were well on top, but once they got ahead Sinfield murdered us with the boot.



Second half we put them under pressure with good line speed as opposed to waiting for them and it paid off with a few errors but we failed to capitalise.

yes the failure to sin bin the leeds player let alone penalise him in the dying seconds of the game was clearly in Wigans favour. And before you start banging on about the non-knockon that lead to our second try and then rewind a play when the players head was taken off and missed by Silverwood. When it matters.. when it REALLY matters Leeds get the rub. They did the Week before v Catalan and IIRC they won against Wire with a late penalty in last seasons semi. All teams get favourable calls but when a season depends on a call the refs are very keen to please the rhinos

We should have been better. Their game plan worked perfectly. Wane played into their hands putting a young inexperienced FB against Sinfield.

Quality!